Birth of the 'Death Doulas' (<em>The Huffington Post</em>)

Care, compassion, and the end-of-life inversion

A growing movement of therapeutic aides known as "death doulas" are giving new meaning to the phrase, "from the cradle to the grave," reports The Huffington Post.

A doula, traditionally known as a birth companion or post-birth supporter is a nonmedical person who provides assistance before, during, or after childbirth, by providing emotional support. The plasticity of this therapeutic form has allowed these doulas to translate their services to end-of-life care.

Representatives from the New York-based, Doula Program to Accompany and Comfort, highlight loneliness as a key contributor to the emotional aspect of dying, with death doulas positioned to ease this sense of isolation, particularly for those with no close living relatives, "They're there to offer support, to listen, and to develop a relationship with that person that transcends his or her illness."

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